Fordwater School, Chichester

Fordwater School in Chichester has sustained its good performance, demonstrating sufficient evidence of improvement that could lead to an outstanding rating in the near future. The inspection highlights the school's warm and vibrant environment where individual pupils' complex needs are quickly identified and addressed. Staff dedication to understanding pupil communication and celebrating their unique personalities plays a pivotal role in developing their skills and resilience. The school provides a broad, ambitious curriculum designed to meet the specific requirements of pupils with severe and complex learning difficulties, focusing heavily on personal, social, and emotional development.

Strengths

• Highly skilled staff effectively understand and address complex communication needs.
• Personalised learning journeys are meticulously planned for each pupil.
• Strong relationships foster kindness and compassion among pupils.
• Broad and ambitious curriculum tailored to individual education, health, and care plans.
• Expert teaching supports pupils in achieving their full potential.
• Extensive collaboration with health professionals enhances student support.
• Quality vocational training prepares sixth formers for adulthood and employment opportunities.
• Strong emphasis on community engagement and charity work.

In 2024–25 pupils at Fordwater School, Chichester attended 88.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 39.1% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at Fordwater School, Chichester were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Fordwater School, Chichester had 6.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 7.6% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Fordwater School, Chichester had 219 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Fordwater School, Chichester received £29,444 and spent £29,075 for each of its 219 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £135,000 (£618 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Chichester · West Sussex local authority: places and applications

What is Fordwater School, Chichester's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Fordwater School, Chichester is Good, from an inspection in September 2023.

When was Fordwater School, Chichester last inspected by Ofsted?

Fordwater School, Chichester was last inspected in September 2023.

How many pupils does Fordwater School, Chichester have?

Fordwater School, Chichester has 219 pupils on roll.

What age range does Fordwater School, Chichester cover?

Fordwater School, Chichester for pupils aged 2 to 19.

What are Fordwater School, Chichester's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Fordwater School, Chichester?

Fordwater School, Chichester is at Summersdale Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6PP.